Combination filing-cabinet.



W. 0. MUELLER & G. F; AHLERING.

COMBINATION FILING CABINET. APPLICATION FILED 11110.11, 1911.

Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

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W. O. MUELLER & G. F. AHLERING.

'- COMBINATION FILING CABINET. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 11, 1911.

Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

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WILLIAM O. MUELLER AND GEORGE F. AHLERING, OFEVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

COMBINATION FILING-CABINET.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM O. MUEL- LER and GEORGE F. AHLERING, citizens of the United States, residing at Evansville, county of Vanderburg, and State of I11- diana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Filing-Cabinets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to combination filing cabinets.

Our object is to provide a compact filing cabinet composed of hinged sections constructed and arranged in a new manner whereby paper, envelope, an ink bottle, calendar, and a card index or other suitable filing device may be associated for convenient use, the parts being adapted to cooperateso that they may fold upon each other or backwardly according to the requirements of the user.

The invention embodies, first, a main box, a file case and paper holder hinged thereto and constructed in a new manner, and a section hinged thereto and adapted to fold backward thereupon, combined together; and, secondly, a folding filing case itself of novel construction and arrangement so that it is capable of different uses accordin to whether it is in a horizontal or in uprlght position, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cabinet with the tray thrown back; Fig. 2, a vertical section with the filing case elevated and the tray thrown back; Fig. 3, an end elevation showing the entire device closed; Fig. 4, a front elevation with the device closed; Fig. 5, a plan view of the device closed; and Fig. 6, a plan looking into the box.

The body or box 1 is of rectangular form and preferably constructed of wood or metal, divided into different compartments 2 for paper and envelops and may have a compartment 3 which can be made fireproof as by lining with any suitable fireproof material or being made of a fireproof substance.

A card index may be located in compartment 3. In one corner of the box or body 1 is a compartment 4 adapted for holding an ink bottle or well.

Hinged to the box 1 at 5 and superposed thereon is a file case 6 which has its front open at 7 for convenient access thereto and it may be arranged for the holding of a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 11, 1911.

Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

Serial No. 665,109.

letter or receipt file of such form and arrangement as may be desired. The bottom 8 of the file case 6 is higher than the upper edge of the box or body 1 and consequently there is provided a shallow compartment 9 which has cross strips 10 and an open part 11 whereby access may be conveniently had to the contents thereof. This compartment 9 is adapted to hold paper in convenient position for use when the file case 6 is thrown back into the position shown in Fig. 2, at which time the box or body 1 is open for access to the ink well and the different compartments thereof as, for instance, when the user is writing. As thus arranged, the box 1 serves as a holder for a large quantity of paper and the ink well and the paper intended for immediate use may be conveniently arranged in the compartment 9. The compartment 9 may be utilized for holding any other material than writing paper, as will be evident.

To hold the file case 6 in the raised position shown in Fig. 2, any suitable catches or braces 12 are provided which have a fast connection with the box or the file case and have a loose connection with the other of them.

WVhen the device is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the box is closed and convenient access can be had to the contents of the file case 6 through the open front 7 thereof.

The file case 6 is provided with a folding tray front 13 which is hinged to the upper edge thereof at 1 1, and in consequence this tray can be folded back as shown in Fig. 1, so that it will restupon the top of the file case 6. This tray may be provided with any suitable appliances or materials. Preferably it has a calendar 15 of detachable leaf or separable leaf type. A pen or pencil holder of any preferred form may be provided at 16 in the bottom of the tray 13.

A lock 17 is preferably provided for securing the edge of the tray 13 to the box 1. hen the tray is down, the entire structure has an unbroken top, sides, and end and is of compact and neat appearance.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A filing cabinet having, in combination, a box or body constituting a base and arranged to lie horizontally, a file case t-ion on the body and to be brought into raised position, and a tray hinged to the file case and adapted to be folded back on the top of said file case.

2. A filing cabinet having, in combination, a box or body constituting a base, a file case hinged thereto so as to be adapted to be folded in superposed relation on the body and to be brought into raised position, and a tray hinged to the file case and adapted to be folded back on the top of said file case, the file case having an open side and the tray forming a section of said file case at said open side and adapted, When closed, to complete the file case.

3. In a filing cabinet, the combination with a base, of a file case hinged thereto and adapted to be opened into upright position or folded down thereupon in superposed relation thereto, said file case having a compartment in the underside of its bottom which is rendered accessible when the file case is moved into upright position and which is coveredv When the file case is in superposed relation to the base.

In testimony whereof We hereunto affix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

WVILLIAM O. MUELLER. GEORGE F. AHLERING. lVitnesses:

F. C. Gonn, H. A. MATTISON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

